Lot 74: René Le Suisse (Belgian, 1901-1966) Portrait of Mwambutsa, last King of Burundi

Portrait of Mwambutsa, last King of Burundi
bears extensive inscription (verso)
oil on canvas laid to board
111 x 71cm (43 11/16 x 27 15/16in).

King Mwambutsa IV Bangiricenge (1912-1977) ruled from 1915 to 1966. During this time, he witnessed the transfer of control over Burundi (then part of German East Africa) to Belgium following the First World War. On gaining independence in 1962, Mwambutsa created a constitutional monarchy, but he was deposed by his son Ntare V in 1966 and fled to Switzerland, where he died in 1977.